Have a party your child will remember for years to come at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo! Make a lasting impression with a Zoo animal guest, a critter craft, and a ride on our colorful carousel!

Critter Craft and Animal Encounter Parties last for 1.5 hours and are available on Saturday or Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. year–round. Zoo-rific parties are 2 hours and are available on Saturday or Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. year-round.

Party package prices are subject to change. Parties sell out quickly so book early! We can book up to three parties at each time slot, so please be aware that parties can/will be going on near yours.

BIRTHDAY PARTY PACKAGES

Critter Craft (includes time for children to do an age-appropriate craft)
$325 for Members/ $350 for Non-members
This is a 1.5 hour party. Party times are 11 to 12:30 and 1:30 to 3.

Includes:
• Zoo admission for up to 30 total guests (not including birthday child or birthday child’s parents – all other adults and children count towards headcount). Additional children – $15 each (includes one adult); additional adults alone – $11 each. Max is 35 people, you may pay additionally from your 31st to 35th persons. Any more than 35 attendees you must book an additional party spot as space per section is limited.
• Critter Craft – includes a coloring-based, age-appropriate activity
• Zoo party paper goods (includes plates, napkins, cups, forks & tablecloths)
• Zoo staff party coordinator to handle all your set-up and clean-up, and to run your party
• Section of the Carousel Building for 1 ½ hours
• Special gift for the Birthday Child
• 4 Carousel rides per child
• 2 Large Cheese Pizzas (pizzas are cut into 12 kid-size slices)
• Two 2-liter bottles of soda (choices are at the bottom of the page)

Animal Encounter (includes an up-close and personal meeting with one of our education animals)
$400 for Members/ $425 for Non-members
This is a 1.5 hour party. Party times are 11 to 12:30 and 1:30 to 3.

An Animal Encounter is a great way to make any Birthday Party extra special! A Zoo Educator will bring out one of our Education critters for all the party children to meet. They’ll get a chance to touch the animal (depending on the animal – see FAQ) and learn all about its amazing habits and adaptations. Choose a mammal, reptile, bird or a “creepy crawly.” Please see the FAQ section for more details on animal selection.

Includes:
• Zoo admission for up to 30 total guests (not including birthday child or birthday child’s parents – all other adults and children count towards headcount). Additional children – $15 each (includes one adult); additional adults alone – $11 each. Max is 35 people, you may pay additionally from your 31st to 35th persons. Any more than 35 attendees you must book an additional party spot as space per section is limited.
• Animal Encounter (approximately 20 minutes)
• Zoo party paper goods (includes plates, napkins, cups, forks & tablecloths)
• Zoo staff party coordinator to handle all your set-up and clean-up, and to run your party
• Section of the Carousel Building for 1 ½ hours
• 4 Carousel rides per child
• Special gift for the Birthday Child
• 2 Large Cheese Pizzas (pizzas are cut into 12 kid-size slices)
• Two 2-liter bottles of soda (choices are at the bottom of the page)

Zoo-rific (Combine the best of both packages: have your guests create a Zoo craft AND visit with one of our education animals!)
$500 for members / $550 for non-members
This is a 2-hour party. Party times are 10:30 to 12:30 and 1:30 to 3:30.

Includes:
• Zoo admission for up to 40 total guests (not including birthday child or birthday child’s parents – all other adults and children count towards headcount). Additional children – $15 each (includes one adult); additional adults alone – $11 each. Max is 45 people, you may pay additionally from your 41st to 45th persons. Any more than 45 attendees you must book an additional party spot as space per section is limited.
• Animal Encounter (approximately 20 minutes)
• Critter Craft – includes a coloring-based, age-appropriate activity
• Zoo party paper goods (includes plates, napkins, cups, forks & tablecloths)
• Zoo staff party coordinator to handle all your set-up and clean-up, and to run your party
• Section of the Carousel Building for 2 hours
• 4 Carousel rides per child
• Special gift for the Birthday Child
• 3 Large Cheese Pizzas (pizzas are cut into 12 kid-size slices)
• Three 2-liter bottles of soda (choices are at the bottom of the page

What’s the same across all three packages?
With each package you will have party space in our Carousel Building and one of our Party Coordinators to do all of your set-up, clean-up and keep your party moving from one activity to the next. Each child (15 or 20 depending on package) will receive four carousel rides. You will receive either two or three cheese pizzas and two or three 2-liter bottles of soda (depending on package). Zoo admission is provided for all the guests in your package (additional headcount charges may apply if going over package specifications). We provide the paper goods (cups, plates, forks, napkins, and tablecloths), and the Birthday Child will receive a special gift from the Zoo. You are welcome to bring your own party supplies; however, we will not give a discount for not using our supplies.

What animals are available for the Animal Encounter and Zoo-rific packages?
There are four categories of animals available – Mammal, Reptile, Bird and Creepy Crawly. You choose the category (first and second choices are appreciated) and the educator will chose an animal based on availability. Mammals include a rabbit, chinchilla, or rat; Reptiles include a snake, lizard or tortoise; Birds include a dove; Creepy Crawlies include a tarantula or Madagascar hissing cockroach. Several factors go into the Educator’s decision as to which animal to bring out, including whether the animal is booked for another program, their behavior and their stress levels, so we cannot guarantee a specific animal will be shown.

Can the children hold the animal?
No, the Educator is the only person that can hold the animals. However, they will let everyone come to see it up close, and depending on the animal, let the children touch it. Most animals are touchable, with the exception of Creepy Crawlies and Birds.

Who provides the birthday cake?
You will need to bring your own birthday cake (or other dessert) and candles. We are not able to store your cake ahead of time for your party, so please don’t bring an ice-cream cake or anything that needs to stay cold! Please bring a cake knife with you.

Do you provide invitations?
We have postcard invitations that we can send you free of charge – please be sure to request them when you book your party. Just let us know how many you need and we will mail them to you. You will need to fill in your party details and the mailing address of your guests and add postage.

Do I need to leave a deposit, and if so, how much? What if I need to cancel the party?
A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required to hold a specific date. Deposits are done by credit card so that we have a credit card number on file. Final balance is due the day of your party. Final payments can be made by credit card or cash. We do not accept personal checks. In the event that full payment is not received for any reason the day of the party, the credit card number on file will be charged. If you need to cancel after paying the deposit, you can rebook your party for up to one year later and still apply the deposit to that party.

In lieu of gifts, I would like to ask guests to make a donation to the Zoo. How do I do that?
Your guests can make donations via check or credit card by using this link.

What if it rains/snows on my party day?
The party is still held since it is held indoors. If the zoo decides to close due to inclement weather we will contact you and inform you, you then have the option for a refund of the deposit or to reschedule. However, we want you and your guests to be safe in your travels, so if you decide it is unsafe to travel and want to reschedule, your non-refundable deposit will be good for one year from the date of your original party.

Can I bring balloons, piñatas or other decorations? What about other foods?
Balloons and piñatas are not allowed on Zoo property for the safety of the animals. The only decorations you would need, if you desired, are table top centerpieces or a banner-type display that can be hung on the edge of the table. If you would like to bring in other food, you may bring in cold finger foods such as veggie/fruit platter, crackers and cheese, chips/dips, grinder/wedges, snacks and similar foods. No hot food, sternos or alcoholic beverages are allowed. Water and juice boxes are fine. You can also order additional pizzas through us.

Is there designated parking for the birthday party guests?
Parking at the Zoo is free for everyone. There is not a designated parking area for birthday party guests, so we suggest arriving early to park. Zoo admission is included for your guests in your package, so they can arrive early, find a place to park, and explore the Zoo for a bit before heading to the party in the Carousel.

What is the check-in procedure when we arrive?
When you and your guests arrive, please sign in on the sign-in sheet for your child’s party located on the counter of the ticket booth and come into the Zoo. You and your guests can arrive as early as 9:00 when we open. When you get here, take a look behind the ticket booth building – there should be a green cart there that you can use to move any items you are bringing up to the Carousel building. There’s no reservation or deposit needed for the cart – just grab and go. You do need to put it back when you’re finished with it as the next group of birthday parties will also need to use it. If you have a wagon that you can bring, it will make it easier to unload right at your car and wheel in. You will be able to access your party space in the Carousel Building 15 minutes before your party time. When you get to the Carousel building you will see the parties set up. Your party space will have a sign in front with your child’s name, and your coordinator will be there to give you your carousel tickets and get you set up. You can pay your coordinator at the end of the party for the balance due with cash or charge.

What if I want to have more guests than my package is for?
If you have more guests than what your chosen package offers, an additional headcount charge will apply. A charge of $15 per child over the headcount number will be applied – this $15 charge will provide Zoo admission for the child and one adult guest, carousel tickets for the child, paper goods, and craft and/or animal encounter. An $11 charge will be applied for any additional adult guests. Any additions (guests, food, activities, carousel rides, etc.) the day of your party will be billed to the credit card on file the Monday following the party unless cash is paid to the party host the day of the party. If you have a large number of extra guests, you will need to reserve two birthday party spaces. You may also consider renting one of our other venues for a larger, private party.

Is a gratuity to my Coordinator included in the package price or expected?
A gratuity is not expected and should be given if you feel that the service provided to you warrants it. Gratuities are not included in the package price.

The Zoo is also available for Special Events and Rentals! (To see our other venues, click here).
For more information or to make reservations, please e-mail Lindsay Durkee at bdayparties@beardsleyzoo.org.